Category Archives: A blog about the topics of writing

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing tips and ideas

Developing your story: Characters and so much more

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After taking a character development class the instructor passed out a form on how to critique the members of the group. That made me wonder. It would be awesome, in my opinion, if we could pass this on to our writing group members after they read what we presented to them. It would be also interesting to hand it out to reviewers prior to them submitting their reviews of our books. Granted that could get interesting but also informative.

 

What would you add or change if you did this yourself?

 

So if I could pass on a form this is what I would include. Each section is worth five points.

Plot

-Attention needs to be paid to plot development

-The story lacks credibility in places

-Good start/good ideas but loses direction and force

-The story holds interest throughout but the ending is disappointing

-Flows smoothly,well researched, almost there

-This is a well-crafted story and it is clear that the author has considered all the aspects of the plot

Characterization

-The characters do not always come over as real people

-Told from the viewpoint of too many characters, so that the readers learns little about them

-In general, the characters are believable , although there is room for improvement

-The characters are well drawn and true to life/does the character have an inner life

-Strong characterization means that the reader’s sympathies are instantly engaged.

Pace

-The story starts slowly

-The story needs a more varied pace

-Side-issues slow the story down

-In general, the story moves well, although there are times when interest wavers

-A good pace is maintained throughout

-This story’s page-turning quality is excellent

Dialogue

-The characters all tend to speak with the same voice

-Some attention should be given to the dialogue, which does not always ring true

-Although the dialogue is believable, there are places where it serves no obvious purpose

-In general, the dialogue sounds authentic

-the sharply written dialogue reveals much about the characters

-The dialogue is excellent, adding a sparking dimension to the story

 

 

A blog about the topics of writing, Writing topics

Prompts: Writing or picture

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I love writing prompts for it makes you really think hard and dig deep to write something that will make sense and fun to read. But a picture prompt are, to me, so much more fun.

I have written stories from these kind of prompts and in fact my favorite story written from such is a paranormal story. I have never written one before. But the picture made my mind go there and back. It is a story that I have received many lovely compliments and it is now in my anthology, “Everyday Musings,” which is out.

It was challenging for me for the genre was new, making it all work out and making sense was another and trying to make it click was a bit of work. But it was fun to do. In fact I, when time permits, will be expanding it further into a longer short story or a short novel.

Prompts are great if you are having writings block, don’t feel like working on your WIP or you just want to try something different. The libraries have plenty of books to choose from, bookstores and online if one just googles.

So try something different. It might lead to something wonderful. It could take your mind and creativeness to places you might not have considered before. It might help you figure something out on another WIP. Plus, it can help you have fun on something not in your box of tricks.

So if you are in a writing group perhaps have prompt night. If you are online and know a few writers suggest a prompt meeting.

It may not be your cup of tea and you will know soon enough. There is little to lose but a lot to gain.

A blog about the topics of writing, Writng

Reviewing different genres: book review

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I been reviewing books for a quite a while now. In that time I have done it for companies, authors and just for myself.

Reviewing the various genres can be challenging. In fact some reviewers will only review a book in certain genres. Some, like myself, will review anything.

My biggest challenge has always been children’s book. The reason being is one of the companies I review for requires at least 300 words per review. Doing a children’s picture book that you can read in under a minute is challenging.

You have to pull all that you know as an author and reader to find the word count needed. But reviewing children’s book is fun. You are reading a different genre and age group which will help you with your reviewing skills.

Each genre has requirements that makes it fit in the genre it is in. That is what the readers are looking for when they check out the reviews for a book. So it make sense that writers who review will stick to certain genres. It is what they know.

But to me any genre still should have the same requirements. This includes plot, development of characters, time line, loop holes, research that makes sense and more. If you are reading a book that does not have the essentials to what a book should have it does not matter what genre you read it. The results will be the same.

It will be a book that fails regardless what genre it is in and what a reader reviews it.